Odd campsite availability...

[rethea]

I've never stayed on property before (grew up in the area), but thought I'd try tent camping in Fort Wilderness. The website shows no availability for tent campsites the dates I want: 5/18-5/22. The problem day seems to be the last night that I want to stay, i.e. I can book any amount of time from 5/18-5/21. But here's the strange part: there is availability if I try to book 2 days or more longer than the time I want (5/18-5/23). Unfortunately, I can't budget or get the time off work to stay that long.
Any insight here? Why would it limit my ability to book days that are available if I book a longer stay?
(I have to admit that I am angrily thinking about throwaway night bookers, so I'm sorry if this comes off hostile at all...)

 

[epcotisbest]

I've never stayed on property before (grew up in the area), but thought I'd try tent camping in Fort Wilderness. The website shows no availability for tent campsites the dates I want: 5/18-5/22. The problem day seems to be the last night that I want to stay, i.e. I can book any amount of time from 5/18-5/21. But here's the strange part: there is availability if I try to book 2 days or more longer than the time I want (5/18-5/23). Unfortunately, I can't budget or get the time off work to stay that long.
Any insight here? Why would it limit my ability to book days that are available if I book a longer stay?
(I have to admit that I am angrily thinking about throwaway night bookers, so I'm sorry if this comes off hostile at all...)

What are "throwaway night bookers?"

 

[rethea]

What are "throwaway night bookers?"

I meant people who book one night at a Fort Wilderness tent campsite in order to book their fastpasses 60 days out and then never check in. I don't blame people for doing it... until it affects me anyway. It's Disney's fault for letting them use the loophole and making it feel penalizing to not stay on property.

 

[epcotisbest]

I meant people who book one night at a Fort Wilderness tent campsite in order to book their fastpasses 60 days out and then never check in. I don't blame people for doing it... until it affects me anyway. It's Disney's fault for letting them use the loophole and making it feel penalizing to not stay on property.

OK, well, I have never heard of this.

 

[rethea]

I'd link an article talking about the practice in more detail but I'm not sure which sites are restricted here.
Anybody have any idea why there would be more availability for campsites when booking longer periods of time? Do they reserve sites for stays of 6 days+? Or is the system just being wonky?

 

[emcclay]

It's an active system. Sometimes I have had success using different web browsers or even calling WDW Reservations.

 

[sxeensweet]

I meant people who book one night at a Fort Wilderness tent campsite in order to book their fastpasses 60 days out and then never check in. I don't blame people for doing it... until it affects me anyway. It's Disney's fault for letting them use the loophole and making it feel penalizing to not stay on property.

It's possible but I have had this happen with non Disney hotels in different cities where you could book all around one date or do a longer stay including the date etc just like what's happening with you so that's probably just all it is. Sometimes that happens within reservation systems for whatever reasons.

 

[lorreejean]

I've heard of this happening before. I don't remember the exact reason behind it, but it is easy to get around. What I read suggested you book the longer stay, then call and modify to what you actually want. When you book you only pay for 1 night so doesn't cost anything extra.

 

[allidog1]

I had a similar problem with Fort Wilderness. I called Disney and they said they block off the sites in chunks they think will be sold but then they might release them when they go un sold. You may be able to book the first few and then closer to time get the last day added. I was successful at that, but I can't guarantee it will work for you.

 

[Rob562]

I second the suggestion to make the reservation for the longer span of dates and then call to have the nights removed that you don't need.

-Rob